Chapter three: A Duel in Glade
Thendryt watched Faorie take off. He didn't follow. He knew that He had probably seen them ride off and even if He hadn't heard anything He was no fool. He would be long gone.
Sittind down, Thendryt let out a great sigh.
He mounted Bovad and rode off. He assumed he would meet Faorie near the Last Homely House, so that would be his destination. As he rode slowly through Imladris his heart sank. What horrors had the Warband gone through to keep this Vale safe in his absence? How many had died?
It didn't take him long to reach it. Or maybe it did and his thoughts had wondered too far, he could not say. He found Faorie outside, she looked frustrated. Not the reaction he had anticipated. Perhaps he had underestimated her.
"He was right there. When I entered, he was right there." She said, not looking up at him. "And then he was just gone." She looked up. Thendryt noticed that the fear he had seen earlier was gone. Perhaps his reaction had caught her off-guard.
"It is likely he saw you ride off with me and knew you'd come back to look for him. Don't let it get to you." Thendryt managed a smile. She was clearly not amused so his smile didn't linger.
"I'm afraid you've been involved in this. I hoped to be here before he would involve another member of the Warband, but it seems that I was too late." He knew he'd been too late the moment he set foot in Imladris, but didn't say it.
"I need you to fight me." He said. She looked up at him in surprise.
"Fight you? What for?"
"He knows you and he knows of our meeting. I cannot guarantee that you will not face him in combat in the future. I would like to know if you can handle a blade." That made her smile for some reason.
"Fine, but not in the Vale. " She started walking towards her mount.
"I agree, two members of the Warband fighting is not something for all to see."
Thendryt followed Faorie. She seemed to know a good location, judging by her eagerness to take the lead. He didn't object, he didn't remember any hidden valleys within the Trollshaws. Once they were outside Imladris she stopped and faced him.
"I know a perfect place. Just keep following me." He though he saw a smile as she turned and resumed their journey. He wasn't sure if she hadn't sparred with anyone in a while or if she had wanted to test his blade the moment she met him. Probably the second alternative.
They rode for some time, deeper and deeper into the Trollshaws. Down hills, through forest and through hidden paths. They crossed beautiful places, places Thendryt had only remembered in his dreams. They rode over a fallen tree, large enough to hold both of them and more, over a high cliff. A few minutes later they arrived at a small lake, with an enormous tree placed on an island in the middle. It was a shallow lake, and they rode to the other side. Up a small hill and stopped on another enormous fallen tree. They dismounted and Thendryt took a minute to take in the environment. The moonlight was not strong enough to see the entire glade, but he could tell it was a very peaceful and beautiful place.
"It's beautiful. Isolated." He said, watching into the night.
"It's my favorite spot. I come here often when I need to be alone." Faorie replied. She seemed focused on the sight as well and dropped her guard.
Thendryt drew his sword. Almost before she could react he was upon her. She managed to evade the first blow, but had to parry the next. He advanced, pressing her right side with more blows, trying to make her lose balance. She parried and begun advancing on her own. The battle was over shortly after, but it felt like they had fought through the night.
"Enough!" Cried Thendryt, ending the battle. He knew that should they continue, she would injure him. She looked at him, suddenly smiling. She knew she had bested him. They both lowered their guard and put their weapons away.
"I will admit, you fight well." Thendryt said, smiling to himself. He had been worried that she would get hurt if she engaged in combat with the Man. He had underestimated her.
Faorie smiled, handing him some water. He accepted and the water cooled him down. He removed his hood and his mask, presenting his face to her. She seemed happy about the display.
"Nice of you to show your face." She mocked.
"I usually keep it masked." He replied, touching his scars. "I need to capture Him Faorie. Will you aid me?"
She broke eye-contact and stared into the glade.
"I can't. I'm under orders not to investigate Him."
Thendryt had expected it.
"I suppose this is my fight. But for good or ill, you are involved. Watch your back, he might try and attack you." Thendryt walked over to Bovad.
"You know, you're still welcome here in Imladris." Her words made him stop halfway. "We're all a family of Warriors, you don't have to keep so many secrets if they burden you."
He could feel her watching his back. He continued towards his horse, checking all knives, swords and the rest of his equipment.
"Don't make the mistake of underestimating me, Elf. Let me worry about my problems." He mounted and faced her. "As for the Warband, a lot may have changed but I knew the minute I got back that I would be welcome." Bovad started walking, slowly, down the hill.
"Farewell Faorie, I will find my own way back. I need some fresh air." He said as he passed her.
She watched him ride off into the night.
"Novaer, Thendryt."
